Folding top for vehicles



A. W. CURTIS.

FOLDING TOP FUR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. |919.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALMON W.CURTIS, OF CORTLAND, NEWT YORK.

FOLDING TOP FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 17, 1922.

Application filed March 24, 1919. Serial No. 284,608.

To all whom t may C10/acera.'

Be it known that I, Auron lV. CURTIS, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident `of Cortland, in the county of Cortland, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Tops for Vehicles, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is Aa full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in folding tops for vehicles com monly known as one-man-tops involving the use of a U-shaped frame hinged or pivoted to opposite sides of the body of the vehicle at the rear of the door or doors so as to swing forwardly and rearwardly to and from a substantially vertical position and upon which are supported additional U-shaped frames hinged or pivoted thereto to swing forwardly and rearwardly for receiving and supporting a flexible top which; may be readily extended or foldedk by al single Operator without assistance.

In devices of this character it is customary to provide one or more intermediate bow supporting frames between the front bow and main bow and to support said intermediate bow or bows upon the Youtrigging for the front bow and to mount said out- Vrigging in suoli manner that it will be concealed at the inner side of the side quarters of the cover when extendedl for use, but so far as I am aware the members of the outrigging extend along the arm rests some distance beyond the front edge of the seat when the top is crashed thereby obstructing to a greater or less extent the free use of the arm rests, and one of the main objects of my present invention is to remove this objection.

A-fnother object is to enable the intermediate bows to'assume more nearly an upright position when the top is extended than has heretofore been practiced. i

A further object is to provide sim )le and eiiic-ient means to compensate for any inequalities of adjustment of the strut connections between the main and intermediate bow supporting members and the outrigging for the front. bows so as to enable the folding parts to fold and unfold without binding or cramping, and, therefore, with the utmost freedom and ease of action.

Figure 3 isV an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure l.

Figure al is .a further'enlargcd transverse sectional view taken in the plane of line i-a Figure 3.

' The one-man-top shown is adapted to be mounted upon the body as A- of a vehicle and comprises a plurality of U-ehaped frames lea -Q*, -3-, anc -wifor receiving and supporting a cover -of-, the frame -lbeing the main support for the remaining frames and comprising a pair of bow supporting sockets -5-, a bow -6- and suitable clamps or couplings -7- for connecting the ends of the bow to the sockets in` a manner hereinafter described.

The sockets 0r braces -5- are pivoted at -8- to opposite sides of the body -A- to swing forwardly and rearwardly to and from a substantially vert-ical position as shown in Figure l.

The frames -2- Vare similar to the frames -1- except that the sockets 5vare pivotedat 9- to suitable lugs on the lower ends lof the sockets 5 while the bows -6- serve to support the rear portion of the top -a-, 4the latter having its lower edge secured in the usual manner to the rear end of the body of the vehicle.

The frame -3- constitutes what may be termed an outrigging for the front bow -6- having the rear ends of its Vopposite arms hinged or pivoted at -lO- to the inner faces of the couplings -7- and the remaining portions articulated or jointed at -ll-, -12- and 13- to form two intermediate sections 11- and opposite end sections 15- and -l6-, the'joints -11-` being arranged t0 flex upwardly from a horizontal plane but are prevented from fier-:ing downwardly by abutments -17-.

The other two joints 12- and 18- are adaptedV to flex downwardly from the same horizontal position and are preventedy -in a substantially straight .line and when ex tended for use are disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane as the pivot -10- which is above the lower edge ofthe side quarters ,as fd-4 of the cover aso that practically the entire outrigging is concealed by the side quarters when ex tended for use, the said sections exclusive of the bow t5- being of approximately the same or only slightly different lengths so thatA when the folding parts are Vclashed'to .the position shown vby dottedk lines at the rear of Figure 1, the forward ends of the outrigging will terminate a considerable distance back of the vertical plane of the pivots -S or back of the rear edge of the seat (not shown) therebyleaving the entire front portions ofthe armv rests Yas Z2- at opposite sides of the seat free and unobstructed by the folded parts.

The intermediate frame 4fispivotallv mounted upon the outrigging for the front bow -6- preferably coaxial with and upon the pivots -11-which are asuihcient distance forward of the main supporting frame '1-- to enable the frame V--11- to stand morenearly in ai vertical position than hasV sented. approximately rilatwise to the adjacent portion of the Cover -w-.` n When the top is extended and its bow s attached in the usual manner to the wind shield as B the cover a4 is .placed under tension, and, therefore', exerts more or less downward pressure uponthe intermediate Yframe 4 tending'to moreirmly lock the hingejoints ,-11-y between the'y sections -14-.

The opposite bow supportingarms or braces as 19- of the frame L1- are provided with lengthwise channels in their outer faces as shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 for receivingthe adjacent ends of the bow, said channels serving the same purpose'as those in the couplings -7- previously mentioned. j

VIn like manner, the opposite arms as -16 of the outrigging maybe provided with similar channels for receiving the ends 'ofthe' corresponding front bow -6-.

L Each of the bows-- is of substantially thesame ,construction as thatshown andl described in my Patent #1,293,355, Febith, 1919, and also in mypending applications Serial #128,599 filed Oct. 30th, 1916, allowed Feb. 1st, 1919, and Serial #117,269 filed Aug. 28th, 1916, in` that it is composed kof a sheet metal tubular` section 20- having a j relatively narrow channel in its outer face extending'from end to end thereof for receiving a ller -21- of wood or equivalent material into which tacks may be driven for securing the cover a4 to the bow, the Y driven into the wood.

The couplings -7-- are similar Vto those set forth in my pending applications above referred to, in that they'constitute longitudinally channeled extensions of the side braces -5- with their channels in their outer` faces for receiving the ends of theV bow which is additionally secured in the channels by bolts 22- the ends of the' bows abutting` against the ends of the socle ets or braces -5-.

The jointed side arms of the outrigging carrying the front bow -6- are adapted to be supported and locked in their extended positions by suitable struts -23- 24eand 24 consisting of relatively small iron rods, the struts 44237- having their front ends pivoted at -'-23- to the sections +14- ayshort distance in front of the pivots 712;- while their rear ends are pivotally connected at,fI-'-25- Yto rocking members Y inclinel upwardly and rearwardly in a direct line or plane slightly above the joints +12- so as to hold lsaid joints against vflexing downwardly.V

The struts .-24- are pivoted at theirrear ends at 27 to the rear sections -15- of the outrigging a short distance from the pivots -12- and inclinedupwardlyand forwardly therefrom, their front ends being pivoted `at ,-28- toV a rocking member -29- on the braces -1`9- of the inter? mediate frame 4+ to limit'theV forward rocking-'movement of the intermediate frame when the top isextended for use. Y

The struts 24K- are pivoted kat 39-V Vto the sections -16- of the Voutrigging a short distance in front of the pivots 413-- and extend upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, their rear ends being pivoted ate-31* to the rocking member -29- whiohserves as a connection between the struts -24C and -24;-, and together with said struts constitute what may be termed articulateI connections between the intermediate frame 4* and outrigging for the front bow.

When the top is extended the struts -24- assume their position in a direct line or plane slightly above the axis of the joint -l3- to support the joined ends of the sections -16- and -l4rV in a straight line and to lock said sections in that position. The object of the rocking members +29- li te that of the rocking member 26- is to compensate for any imperfections in adjustment ofthe foldingparts of the outrigging and to enable said parts to fold and unfold freely and easily with a minimum exertion, the struts -23-, 2% and -Qytogether with the sections -14-, 15- and 16'- constituting an articulate outrigging which is self-locking in its extended position and in addition to the facility in which it may be folded and unfolded causesthe parts of the outrigging` to terminate some distance bach of the arm rests -hwhen the topis clashed, and also permits the top to be folded in compact space with the outrigging parts and main frame some distance to the front of the rear edge of the frame-Q- so that when enclosed in the usual sheaths the latter will more effectively shed any dust, rain or snow which may tend to accumulate thereon.

In clashing the top from its extended position, the front bow is first released from the wind shield frame -B- and the joint *13* is then flexed downwardly below the line of the struts -.-2t--,-the tension of the cover tending to assist the clashing of the front portion of the cover between the front bow and intermediate bow to the position shown by dottedv lines Figure l. The joint -lQ- is then flexed downwardly below the plane of the struts -24- whereupon the weight of the outrigging will cause a further c ashing thereof to the second dotted position shown in Figure l after which the operator simply rocks the main supporting frame --l-with the partially cla hed outrigging thereon rearwardly7 and downwardly to the clashed position shown by dotted lines at the rear of the body.

'This construction of outrigging permits the top to be clashed in stages from the iront1 rearwardly which reduces `the extension required to a minimum and assures greater safety from injury to the operator all of which are important factors in folding tops of this character, it being understood by reversing these operations the top may be as easily extended for use.

dfhat I claim is:

l. In afolding top for vehicles, a main bow-supporting member, an outrigging comprising a front bow-supportingsection, a

p out-rigg rear section and two intermediate sections, said sections being hinged together end to end, an intermediate bow supporting member hingedly connected to the hinge joint between the intermediate sections, a strut connecting one ofthe intermediate sections with the main bow-supporting member, and a separate strut connecting the rear section to the intermediate bow-supporting member.

2. In a folding top for vehicles, the combination with a main bow, a four-part ar- 'iculate out-rigging having an intermediate upwardly fiexing joint and downwardly eXing joints at the front and rear of the upwardly netting joint, the rear part of the out-rigging being hinged to the main bow, an intermediate bow hinged to the out-rigging at a point between the downwardly flexing joints, a strut connecting the main bow with the out-rigging at the rear of the upwardly fiexing joint, and a separate strut connecting the intermediate bow with the out-rigging in front of the upwardly flexing joint. l

3 n a folding top for vehicles, a nia-in bow-supporting member, an outrigging for the front bow having an upwardly fiexing joint, an intermediate bow-supporting meniber hinged to said joint, land strut having one end pivoted to the main bow supporting member audits other end pivoted to the ontrigging at the rear of the upwardly fle):- ing joint. Y

ln a folding' top for vehicles, a main bowsupporting member, an outrigging for the front bow having an upwardly dex-lng joint, an intermediate bow-supporting member hingedly connected to said outrigging at the joint, a strut connecting the intermediate member to said outrigging some distance from the joint and a separate strut connecting the main bow-supporting member to the outrigging at the rear of said joint.

ln a folding top for vehicles, the combination of a main bow,.a foi. part articulate out-rigging having an intermediate upwardly iiexing joint, and dovmwardly flexing joint at the front and rear of the'upwardly flexing joint, the rear part of the ing being hinged to the main bow, an intermediate bow hinged to the out-rigging between the downwardly fiexing oints, connections between the main bow and outfor holding the rear joint against flexing downwardly, and separate connections between the intermediate bow and out- 'igging for holding the front oint against dering downwardly when the top is adjusted for use.

6. In a folding top for vehicles, the combination of a main bow, a four-part articulate out-rigging having an intermediate upwardly fiexing joint and downwardly fieXing joint at the front and rear of the upwardly flexing joint, the rear part of the out-riglOO rocking members on 'the'main how and intermediate bow, respectively, a strut .havingv one end connected to the rocking member on the main bow and its other end connected to .the ont-rigging at the rear of the upwardly flexing joint, and a separate strut having one end connected to thev rocking member on the intermediate bow and its otherend connected to the out-rigging in front of the upwardly flexing joint.

7. ln a foldingl top for vehicles, the combination of a mein bow-supporting member, an out-rigging hinged to the main bowsupporting member and provided with front bow-supporting member, seid onti'igging having n downwardly flexing hinged joint, an intermediate bow-eupportingqnember hinged to theout-i'igging in front of said joint, a strut lieving one end pivotally connected to the ina-in how-supporting me1iibei', and its otherV end pivotally connected to the out-rigging at the front of said oint, and a separate strut having one end pivotally connected to the intermediate bow-sugporting member, and its other end pivotally connected to the out-rigging at the rea-r of said-joint. Y

8. ln a folding top for vehicles, the combination ofre main bow-supporting Ymember, an out-rigging for the front bow hinged to said member and provided with an npwardly flexing joint and a downwardly flex ing joint betweenits upwardly flexing joint end its pivotal connection with the main bowsupporting member, a s'trnt having one end` pivotally connected to the main bow-suportinv member and its other end pivotallv P e a connected to the out-rigging at the front of the downwardly V flexin joint, anV intermediate bow supporting member hinged to the upwardly flexingjoint of the ont-rigging, and separate strut having one end pivotally connected to the intermediate bowsupporting member, Vand ite other end pivot ally connected to the out-rigging at the rear ofthe downwardly flexingv joint.

9. ii a. foldingtop for vehicles, the coinbination of a mein bow-supporting member, an out-rigging for the front bow hinged to said member andprovided with enupwardly flexing jointand downwardly flexing j onts rigging et the front ofthe foremost down'- werdlyrfiexing joint. Y Y

l0. .In a folding top for vehicles, the combination of it main bow-Supporting member, an outriggino' for the front bow hinged to said member and VVprovided Vwith an up-l wardly flexing joint and downwardly fiening joints at. the front and Vatthe rear of the upwardly flexing/joint, a strut having one end pivotally connectedfto tliemain bow-supporting member, and its other end pivotally connected to the out-rigging at the o' 'e reerm c V w wa c i exilio' fiont r the e ost lo n ril. Ll c joint, an intermediate bowjsupporting inember hinged to theV upwardly flexing` joint of the ont-ri 'ein "and a eeoarete strut havin@ gn 1 i v e:

one end pivotally connected to 1 the intermediate bow-Vsupporting member, and its Vother end pivotelly connectedY to the outrigging at the front of the Vforemosty Vdownwardly flexing joint.

l1. In a foldingfop for vehicles, the` combination of e main bow-Supporting member, an out-rigging for the frontfbow hinged to said member` end provided with an upwardly flexing joint, an intermediate bowsupporting member hinged to said'joint, a rocking member Ymounted on the inter,- mediate bow-supporting member, a strut having one endpivotally Vconnected to said rocking member, and its Vother end pivotally connected to the outrigging at the rear of,

`said joint, Vand e separate strutiiaving one end pvotally connected to the rocking' meinber and its other end pivotally connected to the out-,rigging et the front-of seid joint. :in witness whereof l have hereunto set my liend thie 15th day of March 1919.

Arnon w.v Guerre. Y

ioo 

